Empowering Non-Profit Organisations to Support Victims of Crime and Violence

Cuma Pantshwa

• The Department of Social Development (DSD), in partnership with the Integrated Justice System (IJS), has rolled out a new training programme on the Victim Empowerment Programme Information Management System (VEPIMS) to strengthen support for victims of crime and violence in the Western Cape.
• VEPIMS equips Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) with tools to collect and manage data on victim support services, enhancing the Department’s ability to monitor outcomes and refine policies to address community needs.
• With a vision for interdepartmental integration, the DSD’s initiative aims to build a unified approach across social services, improving efficiency and empowering frontline organisations in delivering critical support to those affected by trauma.

The Department of Social Development (DSD), in partnership with the Integrated Justice System (IJS), has concluded a two-day training session on the Victim Empowerment Programme Information Management System (VEPIMS) for Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) in the Western Cape. VEPIMS is a powerful reporting tool that enhances the capacity of NPOs to provide effective support to victims of crime and violence.

This essential training brought together NPOs from across the Western Cape, equipping them with the skills to utilise VEPIMS. The system enables comprehensive data collection and organisation on individuals affected by crime, along with details of the specific services they receive through victim empowerment programmes. By centralising and standardising this data, VEPIMS not only strengthens the capacity of NPOs to serve affected communities but also enhances the Department’s ability to monitor and evaluate the impact of interventions designed to support victims.

This IJS initiative highlights DSD’s commitment to supporting organisations working on the front lines of victim assistance by providing resources that ensure accurate case tracking, reporting, and record-keeping. This in turn allows DSD to refine its understanding of victims’ needs, shaping responsive, evidence-based policies and programmes across the region.

Ms Shaheema Congo, a GBV Social Worker from New World Foundation, praised the system, noting its efficiency and time-saving benefits. “We handle many walk-in cases at the safe house, and this system allows us to quickly capture client details for our assessments,” she said. Another participant commented on the tool’s “user-friendliness.”

This training comes at a critical time as South Africa faces high levels of crime and violence. The Western Cape, in particular, grapples with unique challenges related to gender-based violence and community violence, making this programme essential to improving support structures and resource allocation. By empowering NPOs with VEPIMS, DSD aims to ensure that accurate, up-to-date information informs decisions that impact the most vulnerable members of society.

Alongside teaching NPO representatives the technical skills required to operate VEPIMS, the training sessions aimed to foster a collaborative network within the sector. This network encourages organisations to share best practices and address common challenges in victim support, with the ultimate goal of creating a robust, coordinated approach to victim empowerment that spans multiple organisations and strengthens the overall support system for those who have experienced trauma.

Ms Lebo Molai, Deputy Director VEP of Monitoring & Evaluation at DSD, highlighted how VEPIMS enhances the Department’s ability to monitor and evaluate intervention impacts. “VEPIMS revolutionises victim support by centralising data—we can view provincial statistics, generate insightful, data-driven reports, highlight trends, identify service gaps, and guide policy decisions,” she said. With the knowledge gained from this training, NPOs are now better positioned to contribute to data that strengthens South Africa’s victim support systems.

This training forms part of a broader IJS vision: to integrate VEPIMS with the South African Police Service, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Correctional Services, Health, and Education, aiming to create a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to supporting victims.

Empowering social service professionals with modern tools accelerates a coordinated approach to victim empowerment, ultimately improving the lives of those who have experienced trauma.